Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.

RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 17, 2015

Dear Editor, My property abuts the proposed Milestone development. 45th Street is my front yard and this 75 acres is my backyard. As a neighbor so close to the development ["Grove Matters," News, Aug. 14], I will be greatly impacted by whatever Milestone is allowed to do here. I have valid concerns that are not being responded to by Milestone, but I fully support a reasonable mixed-use development as shown in the Alternative Vision created by the BCRC. The neighbors’ valid petition rights are being denied, and it is diminishing how we affect this massive rezoning next to an established Central Austin neighborhood. I am a proponent of a mixed-use development and think it could add real value to the neighborhood and provide nice affordable housing to the area, but there will be major safety concerns for my family and all of my neighbors if traffic is not properly addressed. I also support more usable parkland with greenway buffers to enhance connectivity rather than the minimal amount in the PUD. This development could truly be a gem in Central Austin if it is done correctly. The developer has proven that he won't do the right thing if he doesn't get pushback from the city and concerned neighbors. Please help make sure that this beautiful and rare piece of Central Austin land is treated appropriately to enhance the surrounding neighborhoods and Austin in general.

Amity Courtois

[Editor's Note: While some have reported that the Grove at Shoal Creek is a project of MileStone Community Builders, it is not. Rather, it's an investment project owned by ARG Bull Creek, Ltd., according to a spokesperson for the Grove at Shoal Creek.]

RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 17, 2015

Dear Editor, I applaud Milestone for its openness in designing its plan for the Grove ["Grove Matters," News, Aug. 14], but I have concerns about the proposed plan as it is currently presented: 1) Density greater than the Mueller development 2) Parking in general, especially the lack of underground parking and street parking in residential areas 3) Street width: The streets should meet the current specs for Austin, allowing parking on both sides of the street in the residential areas. 4) Truck access: Trucks should have plenty of room to make turns and to turn around when supplying the grocery store, other retail stores, and restaurants. 5) Access to 45th Street: The planned access to 45th Street should only be for pedestrians and possibly bicycles. 6) Flood control for neighborhoods adjoining the Grove 7) Traffic at intersections: a) Jefferson & 35th b) Jefferson & Bull Creek c) Jackson & Bull Creek d) Jackson & 35th e) 45th & Bull Creek f) 45th & Mopac

Judy W. Sargent

[Editor's Note: While some have reported that the Grove at Shoal Creek is a project of MileStone Community Builders, it is not. Rather, it's an investment project owned by ARG Bull Creek, Ltd., according to a spokesperson for the Grove at Shoal Creek.]

RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 17, 2015

Dear Editor, After years of reading the Chronicle, I have to wonder why you never, ever review Indian movies showing in Austin. I know you review international movies, all sorts of art/independent films – but never South Asian films. Are you biased against their film industry, the people, or both? This last month saw the South Indian film Baahubali break all sorts of records; we have watched all manner of movies ranging from blockbuster Bollywood to small budget art films in Austin, and on the movie pages, 100% of the time, "Not reviewed at press time." Just curious as to why you ignore this segment of cinema. Hopefully not because of prejudice or preconceived notions.

John Bloxom

[Film Reviews Editor Marjorie Baumgarten responds: We appreciate your inquiry. It's definitely a problem area that we've never been able to crack. A while back, we used to review more of these films, but over the last couple of years their number has increased locally. For Aug. 21, my count as we head to press is eight South Asian films playing locally, five holdovers, and three new openings. Coupled with that, there are nine other new films opening locally, which keeps our film-reviewing staff of five stretched thin. Additionally, the South Asian film distributors do not make things easier for American journalists in terms of notifying us about openings, or making the films accessible to film reviewers. With no advance information from the promoters or the theatre chains, it's impossible to know whether a particular film will stick around in Austin for a second week, which would be our first chance to review it. I hate to send a reviewer to a 2-3-hour movie and then not have the review run because the movie is already gone. I know this sounds like a lot of excuses, but I am just trying to present the unique difficulties that these films represent for U.S. reviewers. The staff already strains to cover everything we do, and the Indian film reviews become, unfortunately, some of the casualties.]

RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 17, 2015

Dear Editor, Our family supports the Bull Creek Road Coalition BCRC Alternative Vision of the property Milestone calls "The Grove" ["Grove Matters," News, Aug. 14]. We are opposed to the Milestone PUD that was submitted to the city because of inappropriate scale and excessive density. Between flooding, traffic, and no major roads, anything this dense will be very destructive to our city. We support more usable parkland with greenway buffers rather than the minimal amount in the PUD. I also oppose making the property at 2627 W. 45th St. into a driveway but would accept the BCRC proposal as a pedestrian route. Please don't let greed destroy our city and our quality of life.

Ashley and Todd Thompson

[Editor's Note: While some have reported that the Grove at Shoal Creek is a project of MileStone Community Builders, it is not. Rather, it's an investment project owned by ARG Bull Creek, Ltd., according to a spokesperson for the Grove at Shoal Creek.]